process for timing transition from 1 provider to another as contract comes to an end

tired_dad

Hi, my BT contract for a phone and BB comes out of the 18/12 contract in 3rd week of April.

I'm 99% sure of wanting to switch to Virgin for phone and BB. Not interested in TV as I prefer Sky.

At what point does one put the application in?
Can one stipulate a transition date?
Any tips would be appreciated.

TIA

Browntoa

If you switch to virgin , unless you wanted to retain your phone number then they have a different network and the normal switching process does not apply . BT is ADSL and their own fibre , Virgin media have their own fibre and do not piggy back BT.

Be prepared for a final £35 cease of service charge from BT 

tired_dad

so I have to contact BT and cancel both the line and BB

then contact virgin and arrange installation?

I absolutely need to keep my landline number

JJ_Egan

You need to port your number to VM from BT .Always a danger of losing number as you dont own it .

Be aware that BT and VM are overwhelmed by calls at present .

Why have Sky TV and not Sky BB ??

tired_dad

I would like
1. My TV to be Sky as I like to sports/cinema/genral channel package
2. My BB to be as fast as reasonable. We cannot virgin media with is fiberoptic. All the copper wire offerings in my area rarely get about 7-9Mbits/s due to distance from exchange

JJ_Egan

You will probably get a better bundle deal using Sky for all .

Same BB as BT same cable etc .

jaybeetoo

Now is probably not a good time to be switching phone and broadband suppliers.  If anything goes wrong you could be waiting weeks for someone to fix it.

iniltous

If using VM , and you indicate at the application stage that you want to port your phone number from your current provider to VM , VM  by asking your old provider for the number , should in theory serve notice that you are leaving, if you also contact your current provider it could mess up the porting application, if the number wasn’t important and you were getting a different number from VM then you would have to contact your old provider yourself.
As already stated, VM use their own network, so the physical installation is separate, and if you haven’t previously had VM service, they will need to install it into your property, and in these Covid-19 times, they may not be accepting new installs as they may not want to put their staff or yourself under any avoidable risk

Croft12

As with others above:

If you can avoid swapping providers for the next 3 months i'd strongly advise it. The chances of something falling through are much higher - esp if they need any access to your property to complete. Even if they don't need that phone/online support/processing are likely to be very disrupted..